the fiscal cliff is upon us. now we see the two lead office of the report that out there again. -- authors of the report out there again. is the report is getting a new look these days? caller: allyson send an erskine bowles are the with- alan simpson -- alan simpson and erskine bowles are going around the country and speaking. the plan is full of compromises, compromises people do not like, but are necessary if you want to take on the problem. not to say that simpson-bowles has the best ideas. he framework touches all of the budget and it is the kind of framework you need. host: between then and now, what has changed to cause such a strong and serious look at the proposal? guest: thought of it is timing. political timing and economic timing. -- guest: part of it is timing, political timing and economic timing. we have the fiscal cliff facing us and the potential economically serious problems this will cause in terms of economic growth, unemployment and so forth. members of congress want to get something done. th